Kotjs



(No Model.)'

E. D. WATROUS.

UNDERWA'IST. v N0.382,628. A Patented May-8,1888

N. PETERS. PholbLilhogl-aphan wmin wwc.

UNITED STATE PATENT OF I EMMA DIDA'MA 'w rRous-oF FREETOWN CORNERS, new YORK.

UNDERWAlST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 382,628,1iated May 8, 1888. Application filed August 2l),1887. Serial No. 247,447. (No model.)

for its object to produce a waist that shall readily adapt itself or yield to the movements of the body of the wearer, and thereby pre- 'ventthe breaking off of buttons orother devices that may be employ'ed'to secure other articles to the waist.-

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a childs underwaist constructed in accordance with my invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 views illustrating slight modifications. A indicates 'the waist as a whole, which is provided with shoulder-straps B, as shown in Fig. 1, the saidstraps being preferably, though not necessarily, more or less elastic. The body of the waist resembles a band that passes the I may be done if deemed desirable.

body, with the free ends Q D of the band preferably arranged to be fastened together by buttons or other fastenings, E, at the back of the wearer. It is obvious,-however, that the waist may open at the front instead of at the back. Extending inward from the outer edge of each end 0 D, I make a cut or incision, F, about six inches (moreor less) in length, parallel with and a slight distance away from the lower edge of the waist, as shown. Instead of merely making an incision or cut a portion of the material may be cut away, as in Figs. 2 and 3, thereby leaving an opening instead of a mere cut. Extending across this cut or opening F, and secured to the, opposite edges thereof, is an elastic or yielding connectingpiece, G, which will preferably be made in the form of an elastic cord laced back and forth across the openingor slit, as shown in Fig. 1.

Instead of employing a lacing cord, as in Fig. 1,-aseries of strips of elastic webbing may be sewed to the waist across the opening, as in Fig. 2, or a single piece of elastic webbing secured within the opening, as in Fig. 3.

As'nearlyall the strain comes in the back of the waist, it will not be necessary to extend the slits F around on the sides, though this By reason of the slit or opening being approximately horizontal the waist will be capable of elongation verticallyin the back.

It will be noticed that if the wearer bends forwardthe waist will elongate or yield sufficiently torelicve the buttons or other fastenings by which drawers or stockings are attached to' the waist of undue strain.

Where the shoulder-straps are made partly elastic, the elastic portionwill advisably be in the back ends.

v The waist or band will be comprised ordinarily of a number of pieces sewed together, and in order-to give strength to'the waist and, to maintain it in its proper shape Iapply over the seams of the waist and at such other points as may be found desirable a number of strengthening-strips, H, which may consist of I tape or other suitable materialstitched along its edges and at its top and bottom to the'waist,

as shown. These strengthening-strips H are placed in such position as toreceive the buttons or other fastenings,-,and by reason of the 7 increased thickness at these points there is less liability of the buttons or fastenings pulling out or becoming detached from the waist. The waist will also be bound along its edges, and may be made more or less ornamental in 80,

' appearance.

It is obvious that the shoulder-straps may beprovided with buckles, if desired, in the a manner of ordinary suspenders. V

, Another advantage possessed by my inven-- tion over these prior devices to which I have above referred lies in the fact that I am enabled to attach stocking -supporters, skirts, and drawers to the waist, which is impossible under these prior constructions. go

Having thus fully acknowledged the prior state of the art and set forth the advantages of my construction over those which have preceded it, what I claim is* r 1. In an under'waist, thev body A, provided 93 with horizontal incisions or openings in its back, in combination with an elastic or yielding connection extending across the slits or openings.

2. In an underwaist provided with shoul- 109 der straps, the horizontal incisions or openings in the back,'and the elastic connecting pieces, asG, applied to the openings.- 3. In an underwaist provided with shoalder-straps B B, flaps C D, adapted to be conper ends of the strips, all substantially as 10 nected at the back, a horizontal incision, F, in shown.

each flap, and elastic G, applied to the incis- In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand ions, all substantially as shown. in the presence of two witnesses.

5 4. In an underwaist the body A provided a T with elastic portions G in its back, strengthen- E DIDAMA ATROUS' ing-strips H, buttons or fastenings at the upper Witnesses: and lower ends'of the strips, and shoulder- JAS. A. NIXON,

straps B B, secured to the fastenings atthehp: MARY E. \VooD. 

